2013-2014 Cambridge MPhil in Finance and Economics Applicants

Hi Kostopintos,

I am currently a student on the MPhil Finance and Economics course. There are currently 35 of us on the course at the moment. To be honest under consideration by the degree committee just means your application is under consideration by the department. Some faculties in cambridge will have 2 committees to consider your application but the economics department just had the degree committee stage.

kosto, would you say that everyone on the programme achieved a first class honors undergrad? Mind sharing your brief academic background as well?

cheers

Hi my average BSc Economics (top 50 in UK) 1st yr 71.2%, 2nd 69.4% (in 2nd year top 9% out of 174) , Extraciricular= relevant exp (Student Union president ant the college, Student Staff Comittee Meber, Tresurer of Chess Society, Gold Medalist Jitsu, 6th place chess competition in a team, finance related internship in India)

I would think that majority would get at lease 65% but most likely 70% and a few people below that,, just a guess though.Coz many top student will applly.

What do you think guys?

Thanks

I graduated from the University of Manchester with a BSc Economics. 2nd year average was roughly around 75%. Actually if you do get into the course, the general requirement cambridge will give you is 67% in your final year and second upper honors overall. So it is safe to say 99% of the people in the course have a first class honors

I am wondering what were your extra ciriculars and internships at the time of application for the course?

How would you rate my chances?

Is Cambridge postgrad much tougher than BSc Economics at Manchester?

Do you have students on your course from non top UK universities ?

Do you enjoy the course?

Would be great help if you could spend some of your time and answer those.

Thank you very much in advance.

I did an internship in the economist service in my country and an internship in shanghai with a german company. But to be honest a few of my coursemates have never done an internship before, although there are a few former investment bankers here.

To answer your question on students from non top UK universities, yes there are. I have course mates from universities outside of the Russell group. Cambridge seems to recruit internationally, and there are students from a wide range of american and european universities.

Yes the course is very very tough. It very quantitative. You do not write essays but most of the work is problem solving based. The finance modules are pretty standard but the economics modules are a huge step up from my undergrad. And the passing mark for the course is 60%.

Even though it is very tough, I really do enjoy the course. I am getting a much thorough understanding of economics than I could in my undergraduate. And its pretty amazing to be taught by famous professors and people who wrote your textbooks. The main draw though is the student life in Cambridge. The events you get to experience and the quality of talks by famous academics and people here are amazing. I attended a talk by professor ha-joon chang last semester and had to skip a lecture by former thai prime minister thaksin shinawatra because of a formal.

I hope this answered your questions and all the best for your application. Its a pretty long wait so don't get down if it takes really long. Cambridge is well known to take their time with admissions. I only got my offer after 4 months and I had to E-mail and chase for it.

Hi,

Just a quick question as I was hoping you guys could help me.

I am studying Computer Engineering, similar to a lot of you have gotten decent grades (78% both first and second year averages), an award for my first year results (top 3 of 187), captained a programming team twice, gained three internships in the top investment banks (GS & BAML) and go to a world top 100 university (think its like 60th or so), but I'm in my penultimate year so still have a few months before I start applying for Masters

I was interested in moving into computational economics and would like to (based on my readings so far and some online courses) do a phd in the area eventually combining my interests in both, but a masters first. In particular the two year masters offered at Cambridge. (first year for non-economics graduates)

I was wondering what you thought my chances were, if you had any recommendations for what I should be doing between now and my application, any readings etc? I would be really interested to hear your opinions and advice.

Thanks

Hi Kostopintos,

I am currently a student on the MPhil Finance and Economics course. There are currently 35 of us on the course at the moment. To be honest under consideration by the degree committee just means your application is under consideration by the department. Some faculties in cambridge will have 2 committees to consider your application but the economics department just had the degree committee stage.

I would reccomend you to do GMAT or GRE if you really want to make sure you ll get in.

Obviosly reading basic economic books would be helpfull.

In general, I belive you have a great chance to get in as Economics is relativelly less competitive I belive and your profile is very strong if 78% is the same as 78% in the UK grading system.

Thanks

Hi Kostopintos,

I am currently a student on the MPhil Finance and Economics course. There are currently 35 of us on the course at the moment. To be honest under consideration by the degree committee just means your application is under consideration by the department. Some faculties in cambridge will have 2 committees to consider your application but the economics department just had the degree committee stage.

Its been two months after submit, I have got an offer from Msc Finance in IC. Coz I actually quite value the job prospect after the course. Compared to IC's finance which is heavily practical and IB oriented, Mphil in finance and eco in Cam seems like a bit grey. Cam's syllabus simply tells we don't give a damn about you finding a job. What do you think of the career opportunities, are there many your coursemante able to secure an good internship so far??

On what date of November did you submit you application, FangWei119? Could you share your profile? I sent my application on 23rd of November, however, haven't get an answer yet.